Apparatus for uniform cam adjustment in multiple-system circular knitting machine



Jan. 7-, 1964 E. HANEL' ETAL 3,115,620

, APPARATUS FOR UNIFORM CAM ADJUSTMENT IN MULTIPLE-SYSTEM CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed July 12. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7/////////////// Yl/l. /////1."///////A '///l ///I// '///////////////////l "ll/l/l/l/I/I/ll/l;

jFl-l 7 avg F- Y l0" E //0 [x\\\\\\\ 0 a; 1) i H 54%,.

APPARATUS FOR UNIFORM CAM ADJUSTMENT IN MULTIPLE-SYSTEM CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed July 12, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 5 E! I). w

United States Patent APPARATUS FOR UNIFORM CAM ADJUSTMENT IN MULTIPLE-SYSTEM CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE Ewald Hiinel, Heinz Kiihler, and Werner Mayer, Ingolstadt, Germany, assignors to Schubert & Salzer Maschinent'abrik Aktiengesellschaft, Ingolstadt (Danube), Germany, a German corporation Filed July 12, 1960, Ser. No. 42,436 Claims priority, application Germany July 31, 1959 13 Claims. (Cl. 66-54) The present invention relates to an apparatus for uniform cam adjustment in a multiple-system circular knitting machine, and more particularly to a cam slide mounted for actuating cam engagement and being uniformly adjustable.

It is known to vary the size of stitch and in turn the tension of the knitted fabric in multiple-system circular knitting machines, by adjusting the cams in the various knitting systems. In such multiple-system working, it is necessary to adjust the cams in an absolutely uniform manner, in order to avoid uneven rows or courses of stitches.

Wit-h particular reference to circular knitting machines adapted for making sheer seamless stockings, various techniques are known for carrying out uniform adjust ment of the cams in all the knitting systems by raising and lowering the cam ring (see German Patent 1,008,860) As a result of this type of adjustment, however, all the cams secured to the cam ring are acted upon in an identical manner so that all the types of needles change their loop sinking depth over the entire cylinder circumference.

For working the foot portion of the stocking, nevertheless, it is necessary to work the reinforced sole with a different size of stitch from that used for the remainder of the foot portion. Thus, it is undesirable to act upon all the cams in an identical manner. Accordingly, for the foot portion this different size of stitch is achieved in the conventional manner by employing needles with upper and lower butts appropriately distributed over both halves of the cylinder, such that the needles with upper butts are sunk lower than the needles with lower butt-s by means of an additional cam element. In circular knitting machines having several working systems, in this connection it is already known to adjust certain cams at all the working systems by rotating a gear ring. For this purpose, the appropriately selected cams of the various working systems are subjected to the action of pinions, each of which meshes with the common gear ring. The gear ring, pinions and cams are operatively connected such that by rotating the common gear ring all the pinions and, in turn, the cams are simultaneously actuated. This arrangement, however, suffers from the disadvantage that the clearance between the individual pinions and the gear ring causes differences in adjustment which leads to unevennes in the courses or rows of stitches produced by the individual knitting systems.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the foregoing disadvantages and to provide an apparatus for uniform cam adjustment in a multiple-system circular knitting machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cam slide mounted for movement from a position out of a position into actuating cam engagement with the desired knitting element, said cam slide being uniformly adjustable with respect to the point of actuation of such elements.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a study of the within specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

"ice

FIG. 1 is a schematic partial view in section of a multiple-system circular knitting machine, illustrating the operational relation of the various elements in accordance with the embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 1a and 1b are enlarged partial views of the upper left and upper right-hand portions of FIG. 1, illustratingin greater detail the operative relationship of the respective parts;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic sectional view illustrating the various elements in accordance with the inyention, including a cam slide mounted for movement into and out of actuating cam engagement with certain butts of the knitting needles;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a conventional cam guiding means shown in fiat projection, illustrating the positioning of the various cam slides for the individual knitting systems 'I to IV;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view illustrating in greater detail the operation of a cam slide with respect to certain needle butts in accordance with the invention, and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2 indicating an alternate positioning of the spring means used to maintain positive thread engagement between the common carrier ring and the connecting ring.

In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that an apparatus for uniform cam adjustment in a multiple-system circular knitting machine may be provided having a cam slide mounted for movement from a position out of to a position into actuating cam engagement with certain butts of the needles of the circular knitting machine. The butts of the needles are actuable for movement back and forth along a path of actuation, and the cam slide and butts are both mounted for relative motion in a circular path with respect to one another. The cam slide, when moved to a position into actuating cam engagement is uniformly adjustable, with respect to the normal position of the butts just prior to actuating cam engagement, along the path of actuation of the selected butts.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the needle cylinder of the knitting machine is provided with a needle bed having needle butts variously attached to the needles wherein the butts and, in turn, the needles are actuable in axial direction of the needle cylinder. Generally, the cam slide is mounted for radial movement from a position out of to a position into actua-ting cam engagement with certain of the needle butts. Advantageously, the cam slide is normally radially inwardly urged into actuating cam engagement with the needle butts. in this connection, the cam slide is axially uniformly adjustable with respect to the normal position of said butts just prior to actuating cam engagement. Actually, a plurality of circular knitting systems may be employed in accordance with the invention, -a corresponding cam slide being provided for each of the systems. All the cam slides are suitably mounted for simultaneous movement for axial uniform adjustment, although the particular cam slides of the various knitting systems may be placed into actuating cam eagagement separately, together, or in any staggered phase relation.

Briefly, the cam slides are suitably mounted for simultaneous axial movement on a common carrier ring concentrically adjacent in the needle butts of the needle cylinder. A rotatable connecting ring is concentrically provided and connected by thread means with the common carrier ring which has co-acting thread means, for uniformly adjusting the axial height of the common carrier ring and simultaneously the height of the cam slides with respect to the normal position of the butts just prior to actuating cam engagement. A base cam ring having an intermediate cylinder portion with opening means defined therethrough is positioned concentrically with respect to the needle cylinder. The base cam ring has a pair of axially spaced apart radially outwardly extending flanges connected to the intermediate cyilnder portion. The connecting ring is mounted for slidably engaging one of the flanges along a path of rotation thereon, the common carrier ring being resiliently urged, for example, by spring means, from the other of said flanges into positive thread engagement with the connecting ring. A plurality of cam slides, corresponding to the number of knitting systems in the multiple-system circular knitting machine, are mounted in suitable spaced relation to one another along the common carrier ring for sliding movement in radial direction through the opening means of the base cam ring.

It will be appreciated that suitable control means for rotating the connecting ring along its path of rotation may be conveniently provided such as a lever linkage pivotally connected to the connecting ring. The base cam ring containing the connecting ring, the common carrier ring and the various cam slides is mounted for relative motion with respect to the knitting cylinder in a circular path. Thus, the knitting cylinder may rotate while the base cam ring remains stationary, and, alternatively, the base cam ring may be rotated while the knitting cylinder remains stationary.

By rotation of the connecting ring and, in turn, the axial displacement of the common carrier ring in threaded engagement therewith, all the cam slides mounted on the common carrier ring may be uniformly adjusted or displaced in axial direction with respect to the knitting cylinder, the needle bed and, in turn, the normal position of the butts to be engaged thereby just prior to actuating cam engagement.

In accordance with the construction of the present invention, the common carrier ring may be adjusted or displaced in height independently of the base cam ring. Thus, while the base cam ring may be provided with other cam elements for actuating certain butts of the needle bed, independently thereof, the various cam slides on the common carrier ring may separately actuate certain selected butts of the needle bed. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust equivalent cams in the individual knitting systems jointly without adjustment differences between the equivalent cams.

Referring to FIG. 1, three contact rings 19, and 10 are positioned in a multiple-system circular knitting machine arrangement. Contact rings 10, 10 and 10" are operatively connected for controlling the thread guide elements 20 and 20- respectively. Contact rings 10 and 10 are provided along their inner edges with a plurality of cam gunding surfaces 110 (not shown) and 110 respectively, which correspond to the number of thread guide elements 20 positioned on the machine. Cam guiding surfaces 110 and 110- are similar in construction although the particular surfaces will vary depending upon the control desired. Contact ring 10, on the other hand, is provided with a plurality of transverse indentations or grooves 110 along its top surface corresponding in number to the thread guide elements 20". The Thead guide elements 20 and- 20" are suitably positioned for guiding cam contact with cam surfaces 110 and 110, and 110", respectively, during the limited rotational movement of contact rings 10, 10 and 10".

Thread guide elements 20 and 20" are pivotally mounted on blocks 24 suitably positioned on thread guide carrier ring 25 in dependence upon the particular multiple systems of the circular knitting machine. Thread guide carrier ring 25 in turn is pivotally mounted at hinge 26 on a support 26 and is supported by a support member 29 rigidly connected to base 30. A latch arrangement, including stop 27 on carrier ring 25 and leaf spring 28 attached to support member 29 maintain the assembly of thread guide elements and contact rings in releasable arrangement with respect to the knitting machine.

Thus, ring 25 upon releasing stop 27 from leaf spring '28 may be moved up and away from the top portion of the knitting machine allowing access to the various knitting machine parts.

Thread guide elements 20 and 20" are connected by springs 33 to carrier ring 25 so that these elements will be downwardly pivotally urged in the direction of guiding cam engagement with cam guiding surfaces 110 and 110'. Contact rings 10, 10 and 10" are secured against horizontal displacement out of their normal path of limited rotation by means of partition segment 32, connected by means of flange segments 32 to carrier ring 25. At this portion of the machine dial 22 is disposed about which is situated cover plate 310. These elements are concentrically situated with respect to the axis of shaft 22' within the confines of ring 25 and segments 32'. The rotatable needle cylinder 8 is disposed beneath dial 22, and sinker ring 23 is concentrically positioned along the outer surface of cylinder 8. These elements so far described, as well as the knitting machine with respect to which the apparatus of the invention may be conveniently operated, do not form a part of the invention.

Thus, cylinder 8 is provided with a. needle bed along its exterior surface containing a plurality of needles 7 slidably displaceable in axial direction. Needles 7 are provided with suitable butts 71 and 72 (see FIGURE 2) which are necessary for actuating the needles via cams 6 and 61 in the well known manner.

A knitting base cam ring 2 is provided on base 30 via support flange 19 in such a manner that the same surrounds a portion of cylinder 8 below ring 23. Ring 2 is provided with a corresponding top ring portion 3 such that a series of slot openings 54 is provided between rings 2 and 3 along the extent of said rings, such slot openings corresponding in number to the number of knitting systems in the circular knitting machine.

The operation of the elements described up to this point is carried out in accordance with the description set forth in copending application, U.S. Serial No. 42,355, filed simultaneously herewith.

Referring to FIG. 2 in connection with FIG. 1, common carrier ring 1, provided on its periphery with external thread 12, is mounted within base cam ring 2 by means of corresponding internal threads provided on rotatable connecting ring 4-. Base cam ring 2 is positioned on support flange ring 19' and carries common carrier ring 1 and rotatable connecting ring'4. These parts are concentrically mounted with respect to the axis of cylinder 8. Base cam ring 2 is provided with a lower flange 21, upon which rotatable connecting ring 4 is slidably mounted for rotation, and an upper part ring 3, carrying an upper flange 31. Lower flange 21 and upper flange 31 extend radially outwardly with respect to the cylinder axis. Spring 9 mounted within a recess in the under side of upper flange 31 downwardly urges common carrier ring 1 so as to maintain positive thread engagement between threads 12 of common carrier ring '1 and the corresponding co-acting threads of rotatable connecting ring 4.

A cam slide 5 is disposed within a groove in common carrier ring 1 for slidable movement in radial direction as shown by arrow P. Spring 33 urges cam slide 5 radially inwardly. A cover plate 11 is arranged over cam slide 5 to maintain cam slide 5 in proper relation along its path of radial movement.

It will be understood that a plurality of cam slides 5 is distributed along the circumference of common carrier ring 1, corresponding to the number of systems in the circular knitting machine. Each of these cam slides 5 is provided with a stud 5-1 which may be operative'ly connected by linkage means with the corresponding studs 51 of the other cam slides 5 so that the radial movement of all the cam slides 5 may be carried out simultaneously. For this purpose, for instance, a suitable control cam ring 52 engaging all of the studs 51 may be provided concentrically with respect to the cylinder axis, so that upon rotational movement of ring 52 all or some of the cam slides 5 may be radially actuated depending upon the predetermined cam surfaces carried by the cam ring. The openation of cam slides 5 in this connection may be readily understood with respect to the control means disclosed in copending application, 'U.S. Serial No. 42,355, filed simultaneously herewith.

In the same way, rotatable connecting ring 4 is provided with one or more studs 41 linkably connected to control means, such as a pivoting lever arrangement whereby the connecting ring may be urged in one rotational direction or the other. It will be understood, however, that the rotation of connecting ring 4 by means of stud 41 may also be effected manually whereupon the ring 4 may be secured against further rotation by means of a set screw or screw clamp (not shown) pressing against thread 12, locking the same against movement.

By rotating connecting ring 4, common carrier ring 1 is caused to be displaced axially with respect to the cylinder axis so as to effect the uniform axial adjustment of the various cam slides 5 simultaneously. The cam slides 5 are, therefore, necessarily movable both radially and axially with respect to the axis of cylinder 8.

On the inner side of the intermediate cylinder portion of base cam ring 2, a cam element 61 is attached while on the inner side of adjacently disposed top ring 3 a corresponding cam element 6 is attached. These elements are suitably constructed for actuating cam engagement with various short butt needles 71. On the other hand, the cam slides 5 are positioned for actuating cam engagement with long butt needles 72 via cams 53. These needles are axially displaceably seated within grooves defined in the outer surface of knitting cylinder 8 to form a needle bed. In the well known manner cam elements 61 and 6 are designed to actuate certain butts of the needle bed while cam slides 5 appropriately distributed along common carrier ring -1 around the circumference of the cylinder 8 are designed to actuate selected long butts 72 via cams 53.

If, for example, some of the needles are to be given a different oop sinking depth, the particular cam slide 5 is moved radially forward towards cylinder 8 by means of a suitable control device including ring 52, such as that described in copending application, U.S. Serial No. 42,355, filed simultaneously herewith, which acts upon stud 51. am slides '5, when placed in operation in this manner singly or in plural number, can only act upon long butt needles 72. On the other hand, cam element 61 secured to the base cam ring 2 and cam element 6 secured to ring 3 also affect the short butt needles 71. By rotating the connecting ring 4 by means of a contnol device (not shown), suchas that described above, which acts upon the stud 41, the common carrier ring 1 and hence also the cam slide 5 in each instance are uniformly adjusted or displaced in height separately from and without any action being exerted upon cam elements 6 and 61 or other cam arrangements in the multiple-system knitting machine. By downward movement of common carrier ring 1 and, in turn, cam slides 5 in axial direction, long butt needles 72 are sunk lower than the loop sinking depth of short butt needles 71 as actuated by cam ele ments 6 and 61.

It will be appreciated that as seen in FIG. 2, by rotational movement of control ring 52, such that the cam surfaces defined along the outer edge thereof will engage stud 51 and that under the action of stud spring 33' permit stud 51 and in turn cam slide 5 to move radially inwardly with respect to the knitting cylinder 8, cam 53 will pass inwardly of slot opening 54 so as to make contact with the long butt needles 72 extending into the groove formed between cam elements 6 and 61.

With respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, cam elements 6 and 61 define therebetween a groove along which the butts of needles 71 and 72 will pass during machine operation.

6 A corresponding cam element 6 is provided for each of the multiple systems of the machine, in this case systems I to IV. 62 is a further cam part of conventional con struction provided on cam element 61 at the forward end of the groove defined between cam elements 6 and 61.

The arrangement of cam slide 5 having cam '53 disposed on its radially inward end with respect to slot opening 54, rings 2 and 3 and cam elements 6 and 61, is clearly seen in FIG. 4. In this arrangement cam element 6 is secured to ring 3 and accordingly guides the needle butts 71 and 72 of needles 7 downwardly along the groove between cam elements 6 and 61. By reason of the presence of cam 53 which is disposed axially below the adjacent surface of cam element 6, the longer butt needles r 72 are operatively engaged and forced axially lower than the needles 71 having short butts which are not engaged by cam 53. Thus, by operating ring 4, cam slide 5 is axially displaced so that cam 53 may be positioned at various axial heights with respect to the fixed axial height of the lower edge of cam element 6. It will be understood that due to the rotation of ring 4 all of the cam slides 5 and, accordingly, all of the cams '53 are axially displaced simultaneously even though the various cam slides 5 may be selectively urged into and withdrawn from operating cam engagement with needle butts 72 individually and in any phase-staggered manner desired. However, regardless of the positioning of cam 53 for actuating needle butts 72, cam 53 cannot actuate needle butts 71 since needle butts 71 are too short to operatively engage cam '53. Needle butts 71 and needle butts 72 on the other hand, are both operatively engaged by cam elements 6 and 61 along the groove defined therebetween. In this connection it will be seen that slot openings 54 enable cam slides '5 in each instance to be displaced both axially and radially of the cylinder. While base cam ring 2 defines a portion of the outer edge of slot opening 54, it will be seen that the upper edge portion of slot opening 54 in each instance is defined by the lower edge of ring 3. Advantageously, ring 3- is superimposed upon ring 2 in fixed adjacent relation therewith.

It will be readily appreciated that by employing the construction in accordance with the invention, it is possible to impart to a selected, specific number of needles in all the systems of the multiple-system knitting machine a uniformly varied loop sinking depth while avoiding the disadvantages of the construction arrangements heretofore known.

In accordance with an alternate construction, as shown in FIG. 5, spring 9' may be arranged between lower flange 21 and common carrier ring 1 so as to upwardly urge common carrier ring 1 into positive thread engagement with the threads provided on rotatable connecting ring 4. In this embodiment, however, connecting ring 4' must be secured against detachment from slidable movement along lower flange 21' and hence upper flange 31 and its spring 9 may be omitted from top ring 3. This may be carried out conveniently, for example, by providing connecting ring 4 on its under side with a rail 42 operatively engaging a corresponding groove within the upper surface of flange 21', so as to limit the upward displacement of connecting ring 4 with respect to flange 21'.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus of the instant invention may be used in connection with any suitable circular knitting machine for carrying out multiple-system knitting of fine hose wherein such machine is adapted to accommodate base cam ring 2 and the parts mounted thereon concentrically adjacent to the knitting cylinder. The arrangement of the various butts of the needles may be effected in the conventional manner for carrying out the desired knitting operations. Although the apparatus of the invention has been described with specific reference to the actuating cam engagement of the butts of the needles, it will be appreciated that this apparatus may also be used in connection with the operation of butts of other knitting elements, such as, for example, those of the sinker bed or dial bed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a circular knitting machine having certain butt operated knitting elements, the improvement which comprises a cam slide, means for mounting said cam slide for movement from a position out of to a position into actuating cam engagement with certain butts of the circular knitting machine, each said butt being actuable for movement back and forth along a path of actuation, said cam slide and said butts being mounted for relative motion in a circular path with respect to one another, said cam slide when moved to a position into actuating cam engagement being uniformly adjustable, with respect to the normal position of said butts just prior to actuating cam engagement, along the path of actuation of said butts, the path of movement of said cam slide from a position out of to a position into actuating cam engagement being at an angle to the path of actuation of said butts.

2. Improvement according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of circular knitting systems is employed, a corresponding cam slide being provided for each of said systems,

3. Improvement according to claim 2 wherein means are provided for mounting said cam slides for simultaneous movement.

4. In a circular knitting machine having certain butt operated knitting elements, the improvement which comprises a cam slide mounted for movement from a position out of to a position into actuating cam engagement with certain butts of the circular knitting machine, each said butt being actuable for movement back and forth along a path of actuation, said cam slide and said butts being mounted for relative motion in a circular path with respect to one another, said cam slide when moved to a position into actuating cam engagement being uniformly adjustable, with respect to the normal position of said butts just prior to actuating cam engagement, along the path of actuation of said butts, the path of movement of said cam slide from a position out of to a position into actuating cam engagement being transverse to the path of actuation of said butts, said cam slide being uniformly adjustable along a path parallel to the path of actuation of said butts.

5. Improvement according to claim 4 wherein a plurality of circular knitting systems is employed, a corresponding cam slide being provided for each of said systems, said cam slides being mounted for simultaneous axial movement on a common carrier ring concentrically adjacent to said needle butts of the needle cylinder, at rotatable connecting ring being concentrically provided and connected by thread means with said common carrier ring for uniformly adjusting the axial height of the common carrier ring and simultaneously the height of said cam slides with respect to the normal position of said butts just prior to actuating cam engagement.

6. Improvement according to claim 5 wherein said cam slides are normally resiliently urged in a radial direction toward a position of actuating cam engagement.

7. Improvement according to claim 5 wherein said common carrier ring is normally resiliently urged in axial direction.

8. Improvement according to claim 5 wherein a loaded spring means is provided to urge said common carrier ring in axial direction into positive thread engagement with said connecting ring,

9. Improvement according to claim 8 wherein said connecting ring is slidably mounted on a base for sliding movement along a surface thereof and said spring means is operatively disposed between said common carrier ring and said base at a point remote from the path of sliding movement of said connecting ring along the surface of said base.

10. Improvement according to claim 9 wherein said connecting ring is operatively linked to means for rotating said connecting ring.

11. Improvement according to claim 9 wherein said base is provided with a portion positioned adjacent to said butts having opening means therethrough, said cam slides being positioned for passing through said opening means correspondingly into and out of actuating cam engagement with said butts, said base being provided on the portion adjacent to said butts with additional cam means mounted for relative motion in a circular path with respect to the adjacent butts for operatively engaging at least a portion of the butts of the knitting machine.

12. Apparatus for uniform cam adjustment in a multiple-system circular knitting machine which comprises a common carrier ring having thread means thereon, a con. necting ring coaxial therewith having thread means thereon engaging the common carrier ring thread means, a base cam ring having an intermediate cylinder portion with opening means defined therethrough, said base cam ring having a pair of axially spaced apart radially outwardly extending flanges connected to said intermediate cylinder portion, said connecting ring being mounted for slidably' engaging one of said flanges along a path of rotation thereon, control means for rotating said connecting ring along said path of rotation, said common carrier ring being spring urged from the other of said flanges into positive thread engagement with said connecting ring, a plurality of cam slides corresponding to the number of knitting systems in said multiple-system circular knitting machine, said cam slides being mounted on said common carrier ring for sliding movement in radial direction through said opening means, said base cam ring being mounted concentrically adjacent with respect to the knitting cylinder of the multiple-system circular knitting machine, said base cam ring and said knitting cylinder being mounted for relative motion in a circular path with respect to one another, said knitting cylinder being provided with butt operated knitting elements, the butts of said elements being axially movable along said knitting cylinder, said cam slides being mounted on said common carrier ring for radial movement from a position out of to a position into actuating cam engagement with certain of said butts and said cam slides when moved to a position into actuating cam engagement being uniformly adjustable in axial direction, with respect to the normal position of said butts just prior to actuating cam engagement, the adjustment being carried out in consequence of the rotation of said connecting ring, and, in turn, the axial displacement of said common carrier ring in threaded engagement therewith.

13. In a circular knitting machine having certain butt operated knitting elements, the improvement which comprises a cam slide mounted for movement from a position out of to a position into actuating cam engagement with certain butts of the circular knitting machine, each said butt being actuable for movement back and forth along a path of actuation, said cam slide and said butts being mounted for relative motion in a circular path with respect to one another, said cam slide when moved to a position into actuating cam engagement being uniformly adjustable, with respect to the normal position of said butts just prior to actuating cam engagement, along the path of actuation of said butts, said butts being needle butts actuable in axial direction of the needle cylinder of said machine, said cam slide being mounted for radial movement from a position out of to a position into actuating cam engagement and said cam slide being axially uniformly adjustable with respect to the normal position of said butts just prior to actuating cam engagement.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PA ENTS 2,544,829 Gilbreath Mar. 13, 1951 2,941,383 Mishcon et al June 31, 1960 

1. IN A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE HAVING CERTAIN BUTT OPERATED KNITTING ELEMENTS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES A CAM SLIDE, MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID CAM SLIDE FOR MOVEMENT FROM A POSITION OUT OF TO A POSITION INTO ACTUATING CAM ENGAGEMENT WITH CERTAIN BUTTS OF THE CICULAR KNITTING MACHINE, EACH SAID BUTT BEING ACTUABLE FOR MOVEMENT BACK AND FORTH ALONG A PATH OF ACTUATION, SAID CAM SLIDE AND SAID BUTTS BEING MOUNTED FOR RELATIVE MOTION IN A CIRCULAR PATH WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER, SAID CAM SLIDE WHEN MOVE TO A POSITION INTO ACTUATING CAM ENGAGEMENT BEING UNIFORMLY ADJUSTABLE, WITH RESPECT TO THE NORMAL POSITION OF SAID BUTTS JUST PRIOR TO ACTUATING CAM ENGAGEMENT, ALONG THE PATH OF ACUTATION OF SAID BUTTS, THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID CAM SLIDE FROM A POSITION OUT OF TO A POSITION INTO ACTUATING CAM ENAGEMENT BEING AT AN ANGLE TO THE PATH OF ACUATION OF SAID BUTTS. 